Senior Officers Cocktail Party

[3rdGenCunarder]

Whether one enjoys SO parties or not, I have always felt that the high visibility of senior officers around the ship, and formal events where they mixed with passengers on a regular basis, contributed to what has made Cunard distinctive from other lines. There is no doubt that culture is being eroded. As well as increasingly lacklustre attendance at SO parties, the number of hosted dining tables has steadily reduced over the past two years, from a regular 5 tables to now just the Captain's table (now shared with Deputy) and Hotel Manager's table (as of a few weeks ago). Penny pinching? Surely Cunard isn't in such poor shape that a few bottles of wine every formal night can't be afforded? The former culture of multiple tables not only offered more passengers the chance to mix with those who run the ships we so love and feel honoured by the hospitality, but also offered younger officers, sometimes even cadets, the chance to learn gradually as they shared tables, how to become gracious hosts and not just mix with salty sea dogs!

 

When we were at the First Officer's table in Caronia dining room on QE2, the FO hosted several nights, but twice sent in substitutes. Once, it was 2nd or 3rd officer. another night, it was a cadet. She had been to the dining room with the FO, but had not hosted on her own before. I guess he figured he could trust us to be nice to her. I was impressed with how the dining room staff took care of her. Maitre D' (David something) walked her to the table and introduced her. the Wine steward helped her choose wines, and when it was time for her to taste, I heard him whisper to her (I was next to her), "It's OK." I liked being part of a cadet's education.

[turquoise 6]

I have to agree with "did not see " what a shame, and now, for anyone boarding in Southampton Ocean Terminal, there is a change, they have no idea what so ever of how to board passengers, gone was the way it used to be done, as a diamond member I had to take over myself, put my self in the right place and push forward,

 

They were just allowing anyone to board, the girls were shouting on the speaker but no, one listened, boarding cards were be hidden in front of us and anyone just boarded how and when they wanted, shambles.

Southampton. I arrived at 4 , and the terminal was in lock down..no one around,, I kept on

banging on the glass security partition . I saw the open gangplank and inside the ship,but no one heard. also we couldn't find Dutch passport control.

The announcement when we docked was that we had up to 7 pm to board. very bizarre,

[pnhmrk]

I'm curious - we've mentioned the Wardroom, the Captain's and the private officers parties on the QE2 but nobody's said anything about the present day ships. Do these parties still happen?

[Salacia]

I'm curious - we've mentioned the Wardroom, the Captain's and the private officers parties on the QE2 but nobody's said anything about the present day ships. Do these parties still happen?

 

Hi pnhmrk. On the QM2 2011 Holiday Cruise, the Captain/Senior Officer's Party was held outside one evening on Deck 8 by the Terrace Pool. It seemed to be very well attended. Unfortunately, the slow moving receiving line extended past the elevators and up the stairwell to the deck, for which the Commodore apologized - so I don't know if that venue will be used again, but I though it was very nice. :)

[Mr&MrsHendricks]

Once, it was 2nd or 3rd officer. another night, it was a cadet. She had been to the dining room with the FO, but had not hosted on her own before. I guess he figured he could trust us to be nice to her. I was impressed with how the dining room staff took care of her. Maitre D' (David something) walked her to the table and introduced her. the Wine steward helped her choose wines, and when it was time for her to taste, I heard him whisper to her (I was next to her), "It's OK." I liked being part of a cadet's education.

We also were invited to a hosted table... can't remember the officer but the cadet as wonderful, it was her first time and she was so excited. The dining room staff were great with her, reminding her that as the lady host everyone was waiting for her to start eating. She was invited to the commodore club for a drink later but declined saying 'I've had such a wonderful evening, I wouldn't like to risk spoiling it by drinking too much'. She made it probably the most memorable dinner we've had on board and was still talking about it when we bumped into her in port a few days later.

 

Mrs H

[Louise D]

I'm curious - we've mentioned the Wardroom, the Captain's and the private officers parties on the QE2 but nobody's said anything about the present day ships. Do these parties still happen?

 

Hi Malcolm,

 

The Senior Officers' party now seems to be subsumed into a general party with the higher tier Cunard Club passengers, and is the usual bunfight. I do not think that the cruiseline encourages private officer/passenger parties anymore.

 

That said, I have been to private officers' parties for the highest tier Cunard Club members on QE2, and although there was generally a small and intimate group of passengers and officers, the officers tended not to mix much with the passengers, or only mix with a selected few. I found the parties rather dull.

[Whitemarsh]

The idea of holding a Senior Officer's party during the day seems very strange. So much better at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr_Phoebe_Cat]

"I don't like the new pins, either. What color are Platinum pins?

__________________

Kathy"

 

 

Washed-out grey/blue! Update - Peter Shanks has sent me a one-liner saying that he has passed my letter to customer services. I'm waiting with bated breath...

[3rdGenCunarder]

"I don't like the new pins, either. What color are Platinum pins?

__________________

Kathy"

 

 

Washed-out grey/blue! Update - Peter Shanks has sent me a one-liner saying that he has passed my letter to customer services. I'm waiting with bated breath...

 

Diamond pins are white. I saw some red pins at the WC party. Is that for gold?

[MsDeva]

I'm curious - we've mentioned the Wardroom, the Captain's and the private officers parties on the QE2 but nobody's said anything about the present day ships. Do these parties still happen?

 

Ah, wardroom, private parties, officers ...and QE2...quite simply divine and wonderful memories.

Present day ships just don't cut the mustard Malcolm.

Been there and then some. Hated it.

It's a new Cunard generation and l wish everyone who sail on the 'new' ships well, but it's the end of the line for us....pardon the pun!

 

Best

Judy

[Emjoy]

Athough I have never cruised on the newer Queens, my experiences on transatlantics aboard the QM2 in 2011 and 2012 since achieving Platinum status are the same, except it was a formal occasion in the evenings. There was no introduction of anyone, no speeches - not even a welcome announcement - and many passengers and officers just stood or sat around. There were a few nibblies and the quality of the bubbly was better than at the "Gold and above" party. I don't know if it was real Champagne but it was better than the dreaded P.A.

 

YES WE AGREE THE OFFICERS JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER AND DO NOT SPEAK TO THE PASSENGERS, WE HAVE BEEN TO 3 OF THESE PARTIES ON THE qv AND THE qe AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. BUT WHAT DO YOU GET, NIBBLES AND ONE DRINK YOU MAY GET MORE IF YOUR FACE FITS

[ovccruiser]

YES WE AGREE THE OFFICERS JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER AND DO NOT SPEAK TO THE PASSENGERS, WE HAVE BEEN TO 3 OF THESE PARTIES ON THE qv AND THE qe AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. BUT WHAT DO YOU GET, NIBBLES AND ONE DRINK YOU MAY GET MORE IF YOUR FACE FITS

 

No, you get more if you ask a waiter.

 

OP question, it does depend on how many platinum and diamond members are on the cruise. We have attended parties with as little as 30 and as many as a few hundred.

[matdark]

Diamond pins are white. I saw some red pins at the WC party. Is that for gold?

 

Yup, red is for gold

[bobby1119]

Whether one enjoys SO parties or not, I have always felt that the high visibility of senior officers around the ship, and formal events where they mixed with passengers on a regular basis, contributed to what has made Cunard distinctive from other lines. There is no doubt that culture is being eroded. As well as increasingly lacklustre attendance at SO parties, the number of hosted dining tables has steadily reduced over the past two years, from a regular 5 tables to now just the Captain's table (now shared with Deputy) and Hotel Manager's table (as of a few weeks ago). Penny pinching? Surely Cunard isn't in such poor shape that a few bottles of wine every formal night can't be afforded? The former culture of multiple tables not only offered more passengers the chance to mix with those who run the ships we so love and feel honoured by the hospitality, but also offered younger officers, sometimes even cadets, the chance to learn gradually as they shared tables, how to become gracious hosts and not just mix with salty sea dogs!

 

You hit the nail on the head when you said the culture is being eroded. I have nearly 500 days with Cunard with an upcoming cruise in October. I feel this will be my final cruise with Cunard. What made Cunard special for me has been eroded.

[SALAD MUNCHER]

You hit the nail on the head when you said the culture is being eroded. I have nearly 500 days with Cunard with an upcoming cruise in October. I feel this will be my final cruise with Cunard. What made Cunard special for me has been eroded.

 

What a shame, and you are not the only one that thinks in this way. Let's hope that those in high positions within Cunard take notice of their loyal customers and do something to get back to their original brand, otherwise they will become just another 'package cruise' rather than something special, steeped in history and tradition. I am not talking class or even money here, because I believe those in the cheapest of suites were made to feel equally as special as those in the Queens Grill. Oh dear....dream on methinks!

[3rdGenCunarder]

You hit the nail on the head when you said the culture is being eroded. I have nearly 500 days with Cunard with an upcoming cruise in October. I feel this will be my final cruise with Cunard. What made Cunard special for me has been eroded.

 

The problem is, where will you go? Even with Cunard's "slipping standards," the ambiance there is better than on other lines. I don't know of a line that has formal nights like Cunard's, or lectures/activities like Cunard's, at least not in my price bracket.

 

HAL is my second choice, mainly for their itineraries, but their formal night is nothing like on Cunard and their daytime activities are pretty thin. Don't get me started on NCL and Princess.

 

So where do you go for a traditional cruise experience if not Cunard?

[Whitemarsh]

The problem is, where will you go? Even with Cunard's "slipping standards," the ambiance there is better than on other lines. I don't know of a line that has formal nights like Cunard's, or lectures/activities like Cunard's, at least not in my price bracket.

 

HAL is my second choice, mainly for their itineraries, but their formal night is nothing like on Cunard and their daytime activities are pretty thin. Don't get me started on NCL and Princess.

 

So where do you go for a traditional cruise experience if not Cunard?

 

Good question. I'm interested to hear what the responses will be.

 

If you like ocean liners, appreciate the formal dress code, enjoy the lectures etc and the general ambiance (no bingo announcements for example) then if you really don't like Cunard what does that leave you?

[VirginCruiser II]

I really enjoy the Senior Officers' party especially when its held in The Queen's Room on a formal night preceding a splendid meal with everyone dressed in their finery.

I dislike those morning affairs held in the Winter Garden though. Far too early in the day to enjoy a drink or three.

And on that subject, we've never had a problem getting any type of drink, or food for that matter - just ask a waiter!:)

[Louise D]

Good question. I'm interested to hear what the responses will be.

 

If you like ocean liners, appreciate the formal dress code, enjoy the lectures etc and the general ambiance (no bingo announcements for example) then if you really don't like Cunard what does that leave you?

 

I have found that the accommodation and service levels on Silverseas are about the same as PG on Cunard, but:-

 

(a) The entertainment on Silverseas is poor, and mainly consists of the cruise director singing or some kind of pantomine acts using the crew. The highlight is when they persuade a young professional musician to come on board for free or very cheap wages. The wife of one such performer on Silverseas said that the payment is so low that they only do it if there is absolutely nothing else available and they feel they need a holiday.

 

(b) The dressing standards on Silverseas are far more casual than Cunard. There are few formal nights, and generally a Silverseas formal night is like a Cunard semi-formal. Bear in mind that after Cunard, Silverseas is said to be the line with the most formal dress code.

 

© The daily activities on Silverseas are quite limited, and everyone who likes to socialise does trivia as there is nothing much else to do. Thus, Silverseas is really only good for a cruise where there are many port days, as you can go ashore to avoid the boredom of being cooped up all day on the relatively small ship.

 

(d) The Silverseas ships are not ocean liners. Therefore, I would tend to avoid going on them for long stretches of open seas. I have had bad experiences of Silverseas ships trying to skirt around the edge of cyclones and failing miserably because of lack of speed and stability.